Saturday, September 08, 2007

Britain to withdraw 500 more troops

Above: The sun sets on a transport helicopter at Basra Airport, the site of the last remaining British base.

The British military said Saturday that 500 troops were being withdrawn from Iraq as part of its planned reduction in forces as Iraqis assume control of their own security in southern Iraq.

The announcement came six days after British soldiers pulled back from their last base in Basra and moved to the local airport about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the north.

The first combat unit, the Kings Royal Hussars Battle Group, which has about 250 members, was told they would return to Britain over the next four weeks, while the other 250 troops would be withdrawn in the coming months as part of ongoing reviews, according to the Ministry of Defense.

"This reduction has been our stated aim for a long period, and there has not been any change in our policy with respect to our support for the Iraqi forces," the British military said in a statement.